EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

2004 Eastern League Schedule Announced

September 17, 2003 - Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


FirstEnergy Stadium – The Eastern League of Professional Baseball has released the 2004 schedule for the Reading Phillies, Philadelphia's Double-A affiliate.

After a seven-game road trip to start the season the R-Phils begin their 38th year at FirstEnergy Stadium on Thursday, April 15 vs. the Akron Aeros.

Reading's 38-year partnership with the Philadelphia Phillies is tied with the Lakeland Tigers as the 3rd longest in all of baseball. Only the Bluefield Orioles (Baltimore, R) and Richmond Braves (Atlanta, AAA), both owned by their parent clubs, can boast a longer relationship.

The R-Phils begin the 142-game (71 home, 71 road) odyssey with a seven-game road trip that begins in Akron, OH on Thursday, April 8. Reading will play a four-game series with the 2003 E.L. Champion Aeros before traveling to Bowie for a three-game set vs. the Baysox, Baltimore's E.L. representative.

There will be one new opponent on the R-Phils schedule. The Toronto Blue Jays affiliate that played as the New Haven Ravens in 2004 will move to Manchester, NH. The Manchester franchise will remain with the Blue Jays but at this time has not released their nickname or logo.

Reading led the E.L. in attendance in 2003 for the second consecutive year. In 68 home dates the R-Phils drew 465,717 fans for an average of 6,849 per date. Both the total and average attendance were the 2nd most in franchise history. Reading also went over the 8 million mark in total attendance.




Eastern League Stories from September 17, 2003


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